The Open 2010: Canter looks to follow Wood lead

The Open Championship, St Andrews, 15-18 July
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Chris Wood with 2008 Open winner Padraig Harrington after winning the Silver Medal at Rotay Birkdale

By Ged Scott
BBC Sport at St Andrews

Chris Wood knows exactly what Laurie Canter will be going through when his fellow West Countryman tees off at St Andrews on Thursday afternoon.

Two years ago, Wood, from Bristol, was making his Open debut as a 20-year-old amateur at Royal Birkdale.

His fifth-place finish was the prelude to a switch to the professional ranks - and Wood expects Canter to compete too.

"I can remember how it felt for me two years ago. But a lot of players thrive on that," Wood told BBC Sport.

"He's played in some big amateur events and he's just got to treat it as normal and overcome any nerves he has on the first tee."

At 20 and still enjoying life in the amateur ranks, Canter has never actually met Wood - even though they move in the same West Country golfing circles, Canter plays at Saltford, between his native Bath and Bristol, while Wood learned his game 20 miles away at Long Ashford, on the other side of Bristol.

But Canter watched with admiration when Wood followed up his fifth place in 2008 by finishing third at Turnberry a year ago - just one shot away from the play-off.

And, although Wood has long since left the amateur ranks behind, having won more than £1m on the European Tour over the past two years, it was his achievement in so comprehensively winning the Silver Medal at Royal Birkdale in 2008 that still stands out.

"What he did as an amateur was incredible," Canter told BBC Sport. "It shows that top amateurs can compete at that this level.

"I met his dad Richard, who's a really nice guy. He's given me some awesome advice and told me just to go out and enjoy it and believe in myself."

Not that Canter really needs any help on that front, given the surge of confidence he sustained in shooting rounds of 69 and 67 to come through final qualifying at Fairmont in first place on eight under par a fortnight ago.

Canter earned his place at St Andrews in the qualifying event at Fairmont

"I feel like I've earned the spot," he added. "I beat pros that day.

"Over 36 holes, I beat a lot of established tour players and will draw lots of confidence from that.

"And what I lack in terms of handling the range and the expectations and the crowds I can make up for by knowing how to control my ball in the wind, which some of these guys aren't used to.

"I've played lots of links golf and from my perspective, if the wind gets up, it's going to be a real hard test and that could suit the amateurs in the field. We get chucked out in most weathers, wind, rain and snow.

"I've also taken out a local caddie, who's given me lots of advice.

"I've prepared like most of the pros have, I've got most bases covered. Now I've got to see if I can do well.

"I'm not going to say I feel totally comfortable, but it doesn't feel that strange any more. It's a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the world's best.

"This is where i want to be and what I want to do for a job. Thousands of people would kill for this experience."

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While Canter goes into his first Open knowing that the big divide between the amateur ranks and a career in the professional game can be bridged, Wood plays in his third Open all too aware of the standards that he has set himself.

"I'm going to have confidence from my last two results," he said. "But you've still got to play great golf to finish that high up."

And, despite his current European Tour ranking of 37, as opposed to last year's 44th (largely due to an inspired May, when he had three successive top-six finishes), Wood is not actually that happy with his form this year.

"I've had some flashes of decent stuff this year," he said. "But one or two things have got in the way, although I can say I've got to know a lot more about my game.

"I know I've got a lot to live up to after my last two Opens, but the weather's going to play a big part this week.

"There's a lot of crosswinds here and that will have a big effect as the week goes on.

"The greens are so big you're going to be left with some big putts."